Students aged 13 to 18 will be putting their knowledge of technology and science to the test at the International Standards Olympiad, in South Korea.

International Standards Olympiad

Students aged 13 to 18 will have a chance to put their knowledge of technology and science to the test and win a prestigious international prize. The Korean Agency for Technology and Standards (KATS) will be welcoming young people to South Korea in August to compete in the 13th International Standards Olympiad.

The KATS-hosted event, in collaboration with the Korean Standards Association, offers a unique opportunity for young people to achieve a deeper understanding of International Standards affect our daily lives. Teams of three students, accompanied by a teacher, will take part in the contest, with winners receiving medals and cash prizes (see foot of page for details.)

National qualifiers are being held to select the finalists who will travel to Yongin City, near the capital Seoul. There are two age groups, for 13 to 15 year-olds and for 16 to 18 year-olds, where participants will be expected not only to demonstrate their knowledge, but also to generate fresh ideas about standards.

The Olympiad will focus on five “categories” where International Standards raise the quality of life by improving safety and convenience:

The teams will present their projects on the third day. The judges will be looking at such things as the participants’ demonstrated understanding of the issues, logic and originality, as well as the feasibility and cost of the projects.

The organizers hope that the International Standards Olympiad will combine hard work with fun and provide an opportunity for students to forge new friendships. It will be “an exciting and memorable experience for students, educators, and everyone else.”

About the IEC

The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is the world’s leading organization that prepares and publishes International Standards for all electrical, electronic and related technologies. Close to 20 000 experts from industry, commerce, government, test and research labs, academia and consumer groups participate in IEC Standardization work.